TAX EASE FOR PHILANTHROPISTS AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

The kind-hearted may soon be in for tax eases or exemptions from the Government.

Philantropists and charitable donors in Barbados have been earmarked for relief as Government looks to revamp laws relating to philanthropy and charities.

Prime Minister David Thompson, who will present his Budget proposals in Parliament this week, said his administration would reform a "pretty cumbersome" system of taxation through the use of covenants, so that individuals can make contributions and receive tax benefits to help the work of organisations like the Salvation Army.

He made the disclosure while delivering the feature address at a dinner marking the 110th anniversary of the Salvation Army at the Colony Club hotel.

Faith-based organisations

The Prime Minister said he had recently met with a number of faith-based organisations, charities, NGOs and others to map out strategies to encourage individuals to make "large, one-off" contributions to charitable organisations.

"When you contribute to the Salvation Army, it is not just to provide a hot meal for the destitute members of our society at Christmas, but also for the strengthening of the social safety net for Barbadians," Thompson said.

He added that no matter how much the state provided, it still had to rely on organisations like the Salvation Army that offers "the destitute members of our society a place to sleep and a hot meal."

"Even though we have created undreamt-of opportunities for the upward social mobility of ordinary Barbadians through education, and provided an extensive system of social security, there are still too many Barbadians who are marginalised from the mainstream institutions of our society," the Prime Minister said.

(Barbados Nation)